Where does “wishy-washily” come from?
wishy-washily (English) comes from English wishy-washy, from English washy, from English wash, from Middle English washen, from Old English wasċan, from Proto-West Germanic waskan, from Proto-Germanic waskaną, from Proto-Germanic watskaną — to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;...
wishy-washily (English): In a wishy-washy manner
Definitions
- In a wishy-washy manner
Ancestry of “wishy-washily”, step by step
wishy-washily traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English wishy-washy
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wishy-washy | Wavering; lacking in commitment, certainty, or... |
| 2 | English | washy | Watery; damp; soft; Lacking substance or... |
| 3 | English | wash | To clean with water; To move or erode by the... |
| 4 | Middle English | washen | — |
| 5 | Old English | wasċan | to wash |
| 6 | Proto-West Germanic | waskan | to wash |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | waskaną | to wash |
| 8 | Proto-Germanic | watskaną | to wash, get wet |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | wed- | water |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | wey- | to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;... |